SNOWBOARDS
Snowboards are provided that consolidate and redirect a portion of the weight and forces of the rider to the optimal locations (near the edges and near the longitudinal center of the board), providing excellent turning and control and providing impact absorption when landing from a jump. In some implementations, an adjustable spring suspension system allows custom optimization of both the turning and ride characteristics of the snowboard.
This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/653,103, filed Feb. 16, 2005, and 60/751,089, filed Dec. 16, 2005, both pending. The entire contents of both provisional applications are incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis disclosure relates to snowboards.
BACKGROUND A snowboard depends upon the same basic turning principles as those of an alpine ski. Both the snowboard and ski are designed with a significant “side cut” along the length of the longitudinal edges (
Conventional snowboards, however, do not utilize this ideal bending dynamic. When a conventional snowboard is tipped onto an edge, the wide tip and tail engage the snow in the same manner as previously described for a ski. However, the weight/force of the snowboarder is not applied at the optimal narrow longitudinal center point. Instead, this force is bifurcated to the two boot binding positions, which are located at approximately one-third of the total length of the snowboard from each end (
This creates several undesirable and counterproductive effects. Most evident is the fact that the snowboard will be more difficult to bend, and turn, because the force is not being applied at the optimal center location. With the feet positioned at these two locations, the board will assume a flat or even negative (concave) shape between the boot bindings. Thus, instead of one continuous convex arc, the board will tend to assume two minor convex arcs separated by a concave arc or flat spot (
Another undesirable effect of conventional snowboard design is the lack of any means to absorb energy and shock. Thus upon landing from a jump, the rider's body and feet must absorb the total impact.
SUMMARYIn general, the invention features snowboards that consolidate and redirect bending forces, providing excellent turning and control and allowing the snowboarder to have a more comfortable, less awkward stance while turning. Bending forces may be redirected to the edges and longitudinal center of the board.
In some implementations, the snowboard is configured to partially absorb the energy of impact that is generated when landing from a jump. A supplementary suspension system may be included to further redistribute forces along the length of the snowboard, thereby optimizing the flex pattern and contact characteristics of the snowboard. In some cases, the suspension is adjustable, allowing the characteristics of the snowboard to be varied to suit a wide variety of terrain, snow conditions and snowboarder abilities/interests. The suspension system may be employed to redistribute forces to the center area of the snowboard, while supplementary components can also be included to further redistribute forces to the longitudinal edges of the snowboard, thereby optimizing the flex pattern and contact characteristics of the snowboard. The suspension system can be integrated into a snowboard as part of the original design and fabrication, or in some implementations it can be attached to an existing standard snowboard at any time.
In one aspect, the invention features a snowboard including a snowboard body, having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being constructed to slide on snow; and mounted on the upper surface of the snowboard body, a boot binding mounting and suspension system comprising a generally horizontal mounting platform defining boot/binding mounting locations, attached to the snowboard body in a manner that maintains a clearance distance between the mounting platform and the snowboard body in the area under the boot/binding mounting locations.
Some implementations include one or more of the following features. The platform is mounted on the snowboard body in a longitudinally central location. The snowboard further includes a pair of boot bindings affixed directly to the platform. The clearance distance is sufficiently large so as to allow the snowboard body to curve up or down into an arc while the mounting platform remains essentially flat. The platform is resilient and includes an upward camber, allowing the platform to bend so as to ease impact when landing. The platform is mounted on the snowboard body by one or more suspension beams. The platform includes two portions. The snowboard further includes a pitch control system configured to allow opposite ends of the snowboard body to arc upward in unison unimpeded, but inhibits non-uniform movements or movements in opposite directions of the ends. The snowboard further includes a spring suspension system, which may be configured to apply a portion of the weight of the rider to the snowboard body at one or more distinct points in addition to the points where the platform is attached to the snowboard body. The spring suspension system applies a portion of the weight of the rider to the snowboard body at one or more distinct points located in the central longitudinal fifth of the snowboard body. The spring suspension system applies a portion of the weight of the rider to the snowboard body at one or more distinct points located longitudinally a distance from the longitudinal center of the snowboard equal to from 10% to 30% of the full longitudinal length of the snowboard body. The spring suspension system applies a portion of the weight of the rider to the snowboard body at one or more distinct points located longitudinally a distance from the longitudinal center of the snowboard equal to from 30% to 50% of the full longitudinal length of the snowboard body. The snowboard bindings are pivotally mounted to allow them to cant about an axis generally parallel to the long axis of a snowboarder's boot during use.
In a further aspect, the invention features a snowboard including (a) a snowboard body, having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being constructed to slide on snow; (b) mounted on the upper surface of the snowboard body, a boot binding mounting and suspension system comprising a generally horizontal mounting platform defining boot/binding mounting locations; and (c) a pitch control system including two compressible/extendable elements located between the mounting platform and snowboard body in areas where the snowboard body is free to arc independently of the mounting platform.
In another aspect, the invention features a snowboard including (a) a snowboard body, having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being constructed to slide on snow and the upper surface defining boot/bindings mounting locations; and (b) on the upper surface of the snowboard body, a device attached to the snowboard body in the vicinity of each of the two boot/binding mounting locations, the device being configured to apply a downward force to the longitudinal center area of the snowboard body.
In some implementations, the device comprises a spring. The device may include a substantially rigid beam and, mounted on the beam, a spring element configured to create the downward force. The spring element may be configured to be adjustable for pressure and vertical position. In some implementations, the device pushes the center of the snowboard body into a longitudinal reverse camber contour. In some implementations, the device is configured such that, while the snowboard is supported from above at the two boot binding positions only, and an upward force is applied to the center of the lower surface of the snowboard causing the lower surface to deflect upward, the additional force required for an additional millimeter of deflection from a first specified point of deflection will be greater than the additional force required for an additional millimeter of deflection from a specific second point of deflection that is greater than the first.
In an alternate implementation force redistribution to the center is accomplished by incorporating a unique longitudinal bottom surface shape into the snowboard body that includes an area of reverse camber in the vicinity of the center.
The details of one or more implementations of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Referring to
The body 12 has a lower surface that is constructed to slide over a snow surface. The lower surface may be formed, for example, of high density polyethylene (HDPE), a blend of HDPE with graphite, or other hard materials having a relatively low coefficient of friction. The body 12 has a semi-rigid construction that will allow the board to flex into an arc when supported at its longitudinal extremities and pressured in the center, and includes hard edges, e.g., of steel, around its perimeter. The length of the body is generally approximately 4-7 times the maximum width of the body. The width is maximum at each end, tapering to a minimum width at the approximate center that is typically 70% to 90% of the maximum width. Typically, the maximum width is from about 9 to 13 inches and the length is from 4 to 6 feet.
The platform is spaced above the top surface of the body a sufficient distance to allow enough clearance to allow the body 12 to flex upward into an arc without the body hitting the platform 12 or supporting beams. Because there is sufficient clearance between the body and the binding platform, the body is free to flex into a perfect convex arc below the snowboarder's feet without forcing the boarder's legs into an awkward angle. Thus, the snowboarder can focus on optimal balance positioning without being encumbered by angular movement of the boot bindings. Typically, the platform is spaced above the top surface a distance D of approximately 0.75 inch to 3 inches, e.g., 1.2 inch to 1.5 inch. The platform is mounted on the body at approximately the longitudinal midpoint of the body. Preferably, the platform is mounted exactly at the longitudinal midpoint, but can be slightly to one side or the other, e.g., within 1-2 inches of the midpoint. The longitudinal midpoint typically coincides with the structural center of the body and the point of least width. The platform may be mounted on a single longitudinally narrow supporting beam 16′ at or close to the longitudinal midpoint (
Similarly, in the widthwise direction the platform can be supported by a single centrally-located supporting beam 16 (
The platform is generally relatively rigid, i.e., sufficiently rigid so that the ends of the platform, when carrying the weight of a rider weighing approximately 200 lbs, will not deviate more than 0.125 inch from their unstressed positions. Platforms having this degree of rigidity may be constructed, for example, of aluminum or lightweight composite materials. However, in some implementations, e.g., for snowboards that will be used for jumping and stunts, the platform may be resilient and include a slight upward camber or arc, allowing the platform to act as a springboard to ease impact when landing. In this case, the platform material is selected so that the ends of the platform would deflect up to 0.5 inch or more under severe loads.
Some snowboard maneuvers entail placing a majority of weight and force on one foot or the other. In such cases, it is desirable to transmit such imbalanced forces directly to the snowboard under the respective boot binding that is being favored. This is contrary to the balanced flex pattern, discussed above, that facilitates turning. In other words, the snowboard should be free to flex into an arc beneath the boot bindings if the two feet are evenly pressured for a pure turn, but the boot binding should feel directly connected to the snowboard beneath if the binding is inordinately weighted for a specific non-turning maneuver.
To accommodate such imbalanced forces a system of spring-like elements can be included in the suspension system. Such a system is illustrated in
The snowboard may alternately be provided with a pitch control system. A snowboard 100 including such a system is shown in FIG 10. This system allows the snowboard body 12 to freely flex into an arc when evenly pressured by both feet for a turn, yet creates a direct stiff connection between the snowboard body and a boot that is inordinately pressured. Scissor-like linkages 116A, 116B connect the platform and body beneath each boot binding 17. These linkages are pivotally mounted to the platform 14 at pivot points A and B, and pivotally mounted to the snowboard body 12 at pivot points C and D. Linkages 116A, 116B are oriented in a common direction, and the knee pivot 118 of the left-hand linkage 116A is connected to the knee pivot 120 of the right-hand linkage 116B by a stiff connecting rod 122.
When pressured evenly with both feet, the body 12 flexes freely as both linkages 116A and 116B compress and both knee pivots move forward (arrow A) in unison. The system is in essence transparent and presents no impediment to the flex that facilitates an easy turn. On the other hand, if a majority of weight is placed on one boot only, the linkage under that boot will want to compress (knee pivot forward—arrow A) while the linkage under the unweighted boot will want to extend (knee pivot rearwards—arrow B). Because a solid rod connects the two knee pivots, such opposite movements are impeded and the linkage under the weighted foot will act like a solid connection between the snowboarder's boot and snowboard body 12. Thus, the compressible linkages are interconnected by the solid rod in a manner so that the two linkages are impeded from non-uniform movements and movements in opposite directions, e.g., one linkage compressing while the other is extending is restricted.
In another implementation, shown in
In some implementations, the bindings are allowed to cant. In other words, each binding is mounted to the platform on a pivot that allows the binding to rotate about an axis parallel to the long axis of the snowboarder's foot. This rotation allows the snowboarder's knees to be angled slightly in or out. This movement could be free hinged, or spring-loaded so that the binding is biased towards a “normal” upright position but can be pressured to the left or right against the spring force. For example, referring to
Referring to
Referring to
This pinned attachment of the support structure 216 to resilient couplings 230 also allows the support structure 216 to be easily removed, allowing the assembly of the support structure and suspension system 214 to be removed and replaced by the user of the snowboard. This removability allows the user to interchange suspension systems having different performance characteristics, and also allows the user to remove the support structure/suspension system assembly to facilitate transport and storage of the snowboard and/or to prevent theft of the assembly. If desired, the screws 233 may be replaced by locking fasteners for which the snowboard owner has the key, reducing the likelihood of theft when the snowboard owner chooses not to remove the assembly from the snowboard at a ski area or other public place.
The support structure 216 maintains a close side-to-side tolerance with the bracket 213, which precludes any yaw and roll motion between the two parts. On the other hand, the resilient couplings 230 allow the pins 217, and thus the support structure 216, some damped movement up/down and fore/aft. This resilient suspension of the support structure 216 over the snowboard body 12 helps isolate the user of the snowboard from shocks and vibration. In an alternate implementation, the resilient couplings 230 can be eliminated and the pin 217 can pass directly through a clearance hole in bracket 213.
In addition, as illustrated in
It is noted that the arrangement of struts 228, linkages 226 and shafts 224 relative to the snowboard body 12 may be configured so that the snowboard exhibits a diminishing spring rate beyond a certain degree of flexure. When the spring rate diminishes in this manner, the snowboard will perform more and more like a “soft” snowboard when the snowboard body is dramatically flexed. This reduction in spring rate is the result of struts 228, linkages 226 and shafts 224 becoming generally colinear as the snowboard is flexed. Once these components are colinear, the spring 222 will cease to apply any significant additional force to the tip and tail of the snowboard upon further flexure. How much the snowboard must be flexed before this colinearity occurs (if it does at all) can be predetermined by, for example, adjusting the angle A (
The linkage 226 can include adjustable elements that can be used to set the camber of the snowboard to any desired level. These adjustable elements allow the effective length of shafts 224 to be adjusted, thus pushing the tip and tail up or down via struts 228 and couplings 220, which decreases or increases “free camber” respectively. For example, as shown in
Moreover, referring to
This linked suspension system creates a unique sense of stability for the recreational snowboarder, absorbing and balancing forces that would normally be upsetting. Moreover, because the entire suspension/binding system assembly is resiliently mounted by couplings 30 (e.g., elastomer couplings) on the snowboard body (the running surface), vibrations and shocks directly underfoot are also effectively damped.
An alternate implementation of this suspension system is shown in
In lieu of the centrally located main spring and linkages of the previously described implementations, the support structure 216 in this case comprises leaf spring mounting brackets 227 that are attached to both ends of the support structure 216, with the method of attachment allowing the location of the brackets 227 to be longitudinally adjustable by a small amount within the ends of the support structure 216 such as by having brackets 227 slide in or out within the support structure 216 after the bracket mounting screws have been loosened. Such longitudinal adjustment will increase or decrease the force of the leaf spring upon the snowboard body 12 at any specific deflection to compensate for differences in the weight of the snowboarder or changes in snow conditions.
Snowboard 10 functions with the same performance characteristics and benefits of the previously described implementations because flexing of the body 12 into an arc compresses the leaf spring assemblies 229, creating a downward force on the snowboard body through brackets 221.
An alternate implementation of this preload feature is illustrated in
With the ski supported at points Y and Z, a downward force is applied at point X, which will result in the center of the ski bending downward between points Y and Z as shown in
The principles discussed above may be utilized to provide snowboards having a variety of performance characteristics. For instance, the snowboard may exhibit a diminishing spring rate without an initial preload. This may be accomplished, e.g., by mounting the suspension system/support structure assembly discussed above on a snowboard body having a very low spring rate (i.e., a very “soft” snowboard body) and using a spring having a relatively low spring rate (e.g., a coil spring) in the suspension system. Thus, prior to flexing the snowboard, the coil spring will apply only enough force to the tip and tail to cause the snowboard to perform like a conventional snowboard having average stiffness. As the snowboard is flexed beyond a certain point the spring will apply less and less additional force to the tip and tail for equal increments of deflection, and thus the snowboard will perform more and more like a soft snowboard as it is flexed more and more dramatically.
Alternatively, or in addition, a “delayed” preload may be applied to the snowboard body. This may be accomplished, for example, by allowing a certain amount of flexure of the snowboard body before the spring of the suspension system is engaged, e.g., by using a telescoping strut that provides a small (e.g., 0.125″) free play before the spring is engaged. The degree of flexure before the spring is engaged can be adjustable by the snowboarder if desired, e.g., by including with the telescoping mechanism a screw, detent or cam adjustment mechanism. This “delayed preload” may be desirable when the snowboard is to be used under icy conditions. The delay may be adjusted to such an extent that the preload may be delayed indefinitely, i.e., “turned off,” when it is not desired. This feature may be useful during specific teaching exercises.
The main spring 222 can incorporate a quick-change feature, allowing it to be easily exchanged for an alternate main spring with a different preload and/or spring rate.
The struts 228A, 228B, which are normally in a state of substantially pure tension or pure compression, can be configured with a rotational moment that can apply an upward or downward force to the snowboard body 12 in addition to the tension/compression forces. This can be achieved through springs, torsion bars, and/or elastomers.
While the snowboard shown in
Once again, the support structure 216, carrying the restraining/suspension system 214 and the binding system 218, is coupled to the snowboard body 250 by bracket 213 and resilient couplings 230 that absorb shock and vibration while communicating precise yaw and roll control. For economical reasons, the resilient couplings could be eliminated and a direct attachment used, e.g., screws or bolts.
After the support structure 216 is in place on the snowboard body 250, the assembly is compressed against a flat surface until almost all the extreme camber has been sprung flat. In this constrained state, a profile view of the snowboard body would look like a conventional snowboard at rest, unloaded and uncompressed. While in this confined configuration, the two couplings 220 at the fore and aft of the snowboard body are engaged with corresponding linkages 228 on the suspension structure. Upon removal from the constraining apparatus (
In other implementations, discussed below, the performance characteristics described above are provided by positioning the rider's feet directly on the board, and providing a suspension system that bends the middle of the board down to create a reverse camber. In these implementations, because the rider's feet are mounted directly on the board, without an intervening clearance, the rider can more easily twist the board by pushing down with the toe of one foot.
The upper surface of the body 12 includes two mounting positions 314 for standard boot bindings, each located approximately at the lateral center and approximately 9 to 12 inches from the longitudinal center in opposite directions. The upper surface of the body also includes provision to structurally attach four mounting components 311, 311a, designed to retain the ends of two leaf springs 310. The two mounting components 311 retain one end of the leaf spring preventing movement in all three axes while components 311 a retain the other end of the leaf spring, so that vertical and lateral movement is prevented in two axes, with allowance for some movement in the longitudinal axis.
The leaf spring 310 may be constructed of a laminated or compression molded composite or other suitable material such as spring tempered steel. Referring to
The pressure blocks 313 may also include means to expand or contract the height dimension (H,
The suspension system shown in
Protruding laterally from the side of each plate 325 are brackets 315 with bosses 311, 311a to accept either of the suspension systems discussed above, i.e. the leaf spring 310 with pressure block 313 assembly, or the beam 330 with spring 331, 332 assembly.
After the plates 325 are screwed to the snowboard body and the beams 330 or leaf springs 310 are properly attached, and the gas spring 331 or pressure block 313, respectively, are installed, the total assembly functions virtually identically to the previously described snowboards in which the suspension system is integral with the snowboard body.
In some implementations, the plates 325 can be eliminated and the brackets 315 with bosses 311, 311a can be made integral with an otherwise standard boot binding. The beam 330 with spring 331 or the leaf spring with pressure block 313 attaches to the bosses 311, 311a in the same manner with the same effect.
Referring to
Referring to
An otherwise standard boot binding can be fabricated with all the features described in
When a rider stands on the board, the force of body weight is applied at the boot binding positions as indicated by F and F′. The initial force upon the snow will occur at points A and A′ where the board is contacting the snow. As the applied force flattens the camber, the force on the snow will spread from A and A′ inward toward B and B′ respectively. The predominant force of the rider's weight will thus be supported by the snow in the areas between A and B, and A′ and B′ respectively. The least amount of force exists at C, and thus the snowboard exerts minimal pressure on the snow at this central region. This force distribution counter productive to the method by which a snowboard is meant to turn and maneuver, which mandates maximum pressure in the center of the board in order to bend it into an arc against the forces created by the wide extremities of the running surface.
Like the snowboards described above, snowboard body 110 it has a lower surface that is constructed to slide over a snow surface, formed, for example, of high density polyethylene (HDPE), a blend of HDPE with graphite, or other hard materials having a relatively low coefficient of friction. The body 110 has a semi-rigid construction that will allow the board to flex into an arc when pressured into a turn, and includes hard edges, e.g., of steel, around its perimeter. The preferred dimensions of the body are as discussed above.
This molded reverse camber snowboard body can be economically produced in quantity while effectively maintaining one of the major advantages of the invention, which is distributing a greater portion of the rider's weight to the desirable center region of the snowboard as compared to a conventionally molded snowboard.
When spring rate is measured as discussed above with reference to
A number of implementations of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
For example, means can be incorporated into the couplings 220 and/or struts 228, and/or into the support structure 216, that would allow the amount of camber to be easily adjusted. By lengthening or shortening the effective length of the restraining struts 228, the body 250 can be allowed to bend more or less in the unloaded state. Thus the static camber can be adjusted over a wide range from that of a conventional snowboard to an extremely long-travel concave shape, which improves the carving ability dramatically. A snowboarder typically shifts weight to the rear foot to power out of a carved turn. Unfortunately this makes the front of the snowboard light and it can lose grip and skid. The long travel suspension keeps the front of the snowboard in contact with the snow even when the back of the snowboard is inordinately weighted.
Moreover, additional components, such as elastomers or springs can be employed in or between couplings 220, struts 228, and support structure 216 to augment or modify the dynamic characteristics. For example, incorporating an elastomer where each strut 228 is joined to either support structure 216 or coupling 220 would damp the suspension upon full extension as in a situation when the skier leaves the snow surface momentarily.
An alternate version of this implementation uses cables as the coupling members that limit the camber and create the preload force (i.e., struts 228 may be replaced by cables). Camber adjusters and spring tensioners can also be used in this system to adjust the camber and preload.
In another alternate implementation, elements of the two previously described implementations can be combined. Thus, the snowboard shown in
Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A snowboard comprising:
- a snowboard body, having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being constructed to slide on snow; and
- mounted on the upper surface of the snowboard body, a boot binding mounting and suspension system comprising a generally horizontal mounting platform defining boot/binding mounting locations, attached to the snowboard body in a manner that maintains a clearance distance between the mounting platform and the snowboard body in the area under the boot/binding mounting locations.
2. The snowboard of claim 1 wherein the platform is mounted on the snowboard body in a longitudinally central location.
3. The snowboard of claim 1 further comprising a pair of boot bindings affixed directly to the platform.
4. The snowboard of claim 1 wherein the clearance distance is sufficiently large so as to allow the snowboard body to curve up or down into an arc while the mounting platform remains essentially flat.
5. The snowboard of claim 1 wherein the platform is resilient and includes an upward camber, allowing the platform to bend so as to ease impact when landing.
6. The snowboard of claim 1 wherein the platform is mounted on the snowboard body by one or more suspension beams.
7. The snowboard of claim 6 wherein the platform comprises two portions.
8. The snowboard of claim 1 further comprising a pitch control system configured to allow opposite ends of the snowboard body to arc upward in unison unimpeded, but inhibits non-uniform movements or movements in opposite directions of the ends.
9. The snowboard of claim 1 further comprising a spring suspension system.
10. The snowboard of claim 9 where the spring suspension system applies a portion of the weight of the rider to the snowboard body at one or more distinct points in addition to the points where the platform is attached to the snowboard body.
11. The snowboard of claim 9 where the spring suspension system applies a portion of the weight of the rider to the snowboard body at one or more distinct points located in the central longitudinal fifth of the snowboard body.
12. The snowboard of claim 9 where the spring suspension system applies a portion of the weight of the rider to the snowboard body at one or more distinct points located longitudinally a distance from the longitudinal center of the snowboard equal to from 10% to 30% of the full longitudinal length of the snowboard body.
13. The snowboard of claim 9 where the spring suspension system applies a portion of the weight of the rider to the snowboard body at one or more distinct points located longitudinally a distance from the longitudinal center of the snowboard equal to from 30% to 50% of the full longitudinal length of the snowboard body.
14. The snowboard of claim 3 wherein the snowboard bindings are pivotally mounted to allow them to cant about an axis generally parallel to the long axis of a snowboarder's boot during use.
15. A snowboard comprising:
- a snowboard body, having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being constructed to slide on snow;
- mounted on the upper surface of the snowboard body, a boot binding mounting and suspension system comprising a generally horizontal mounting platform defining boot/binding mounting locations; and
- a pitch control system comprising compressible/extendable elements located between the mounting platform and snowboard body in areas where the snowboard body is free to arc independently of the mounting platform.
16. A snowboard comprising:
- a snowboard body, having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being constructed to slide on snow and the upper surface defining boot binding locations; and
- on the upper surface of the snowboard body, a device attached to the snowboard body in the vicinity of each of the two boot binding locations, the device being configured to apply a downward force to the longitudinal center area of the snowboard body.
17. The snowboard of claim 16 wherein the device comprises a spring.
18. The snowboard of claim 16 wherein the device comprises a substantially rigid beam and, mounted on the beam, a spring element configured to create the downward force.
19. The snowboard of claim 18 wherein the spring element is configured to be adjustable for pressure and vertical position.
20. The snowboard of claim 16 wherein the device pushes the center of the snowboard body into a longitudinal reverse camber contour.
21. The snowboard of claim 20 wherein:
- while the snowboard is supported from above at the two boot binding positions only, and an upward force is applied to the center of the lower surface of the snowboard causing the lower surface to deflect upward, the additional force required for an additional millimeter of deflection from a first specified point of deflection will be greater than the additional force required for an additional millimeter of deflection from a specific second point of deflection that is greater than the first.
22. A snowboard suspension system comprising:
- two plates configured to be mounted to a snowboard; and
- a device connecting the two plates when the plates are mounted on a snowboard, the device including at least one resilient element that applies a force to the longitudinal center area of the snowboard body.
23. The snowboard suspension system of claim 22 wherein the plates are configured to receive a pair of standard boot bindings.
24. The snowboard suspension system of claim 22 wherein the two plates are configured to act as snowboard bindings and to each receive a snowboard boot when the suspension system is mounted on a snowboard.
25. A snowboard comprising:
- a snowboard body, having a lower surface constructed to slide on snow;
- the lower surface including an area of longitudinal reverse camber in a longitudinal central area of the body.
26. The snowboard of claim 25 wherein the snowboard body further includes an upper surface defining a pair of boot binding locations, and the lower surface is longitudinally contoured such that when positioned horizontally with the longitudinal center contacting a horizontal datum, the lower surface directly under the boot binding locations is displaced upward from the datum.
27. The snowboard of claim 26 wherein longitudinal extremities of a running portion of the lower surface are closer to the horizontal datum than is the lower surface directly under the boot binding locations.
28. A device comprising:
- a plate having a lower surface from which one or more protrusions extend, and
- a device for mounting the plate to a snowboard body with sufficient clearance between the plate and the snowboard body to allow movement therebetween when the plate is securely mounted on the body,
- wherein when the plate is mounted on the snowboard body the protrusion(s) concentrate and direct the forces from the bottom of an attached snowboard boot to the snowboard body.
29. The device of claim 28 further comprising one or more compressible elements, retained by the device so that they will be positioned between the plate and the snowboard body when the plate is mounted on the body.
30. The device of claim 29 wherein the protrusion(s) are positioned to contact the snowboard body close to a longitudinal edge.
31. The device of claim 29 further comprising a second plate and a device that connects the two plates, the device comprising a resilient element that applies a force to a longitudinal center area of the snowboard body.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 15, 2006
Publication Date: Oct 12, 2006
Patent Grant number: 7708302
Inventor: ANTON WILSON (CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY)
Application Number: 11/276,149
International Classification: B62B 13/00 (20060101);